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5 keys for a Mustangs conference title

Fort Morgan heads to Vista PEAK Friday night

Fort Morgan head basketball coach Chad Unrein is looking to bring the boys basketball team its first conference title in 55 years tonight at Vista PEAK. (Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times)

Tale of the tape

Fort Morgan: 15-6, 14-0*

Vista PEAK: 16-5, 11-1*

First meeting: Fort Morgan 61-56

Location: Vista PEAK High School

Time: 7 p.m.

*Overall and conference records date from Feb. 16. Games Thursday night not completed before deadline

The Fort Morgan boys basketball program has achieved a new height of success in the last couple of seasons. On Friday, the Mustangs will have a chance to win the Colorado 7 League title as they travel to Aurora to face Vista PEAK in a winner take all game.

If Fort Morgan can get the win, it will be the first conference title for the program in 55 years.

The task will not be easy. Vista PEAK was the presumable favorite to win the conference at the beginning of the season. Outside of their 61-56 loss in Fort Morgan in early January, the Bison have won every other conference game, and all but two of three of those 11 wins came by at least 12 points. No one in the conference has come away with a win at Vista PEAK, and the Bison are 6-1 on their home court.

For Fort Morgan to be the first team in the conference to win at Vista PEAK and have a chance to end the conference draught, the team will have a few goals they must accomplish to defeat the Bison again.

1. Contain Te'Rae Johnson

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The sophomore guard is the third-leading scorer in the conference and top scorer for the Bison at 14 points per game. He has scored in double figures in all but three games for the Bison this year, though he is coming off one of his lowest scoring performances on Tuesday in an overtime win over Skyview with four points. If Johnson is struggling from the field, look for him to draw fouls and get to the free throw line, where he averages five attempts per game and shoots 73 percent.

Fort Morgan sophomore Grayson Garver (center, with ball) came off the bench for the Mustangs on Tuesday against Weld Central and could lead the second unit against Vista PEAK on Friday. (Brandon Boles / Fort Morgan Times)

Fort Morgan held Johnson to his 14 point average on Jan. 8, but he shot six of seven from the field and two of three from the free-throw line. Expect the Mustangs to use a number of guys to defend him man-to-man, but also some zone thrown in to change the pace.

Head coach Chad Unrein said after the win over Weld Central on Tuesday that the Mustangs have played their best defense of the season in recent games, which should give the team enough confidence to slow down the Bison's best scoring option.

2. Take care of the ball

This is a key you will almost always hear coaches talk to their teams about, and the Mustangs are no different. In the first meeting, both teams wanted to play an up-tempo game most of the time, and both avoided have too many turnovers leading to easy transition buckets.

Despite a team average of 16 turnovers per game, the Mustangs have improved in valuing the ball. The Mustangs only had 12 turnovers against Vista PEAK, and the Bison only recorded 11. The numbers need to be close or a big advantage for Fort Morgan, especially on the road.

3. Weather any runs

A ruckus crowd will be on hand for the Mustangs to deal with in Aurora. Head coach Chad Unrein also wants as many Fort Morgan fans to come out and support the team.

It will be important for the Mustangs to take the first blow delivered by Vista PEAK in the opening minutes. The Bison will be fired up to win its own conference title, as well as avenge a loss the team feels they gave up late in the first meeting. Any run of points scored will get the crowd into the game and swing momentum. Fort Morgan must avoid any scoring run from deciding the game and answer any adversity they will face as they did at home in January.

4. Get third scoring option, bench production

Most teams have a focus on containing junior Tate Kembel and sophomore Trey McBride on the offensive end. The duo averages 30 points per game and is regularly first and second in field goal attempts for the Mustangs. Expect Kembel and McBride to find their points again, but getting a third scorer has been crucial all season long for the Mustangs.

On any given night, the third scorer can come from anybody. Junior Austin Breidenbach was that third scoring option against Vista PEAK in January with 14 points. Sophomore Grayson Garver and senior Nate Gertner can also get a number of points for the Mustangs. Having at least a third option and big contributor scoring will be a big help for the Mustangs.

In addition to getting that third scorer, the Mustangs will also need the bench to have another big night. Senior Conner Shaver has been big for the team rebounding inside when McBride is getting rest on the bench. Garver and senior Drew Gerken have split starting and reserve duties, but both have made an impact on both ends of the court and been leaders in the backcourt for the second unit. Other reserves who will need to have solid minutes will be seniors Trevor Link and Derek Bain.

5. Play the full 32 minutes

In the first meeting on Jan. 8, there were a number of lead changes early and little breathing room all game long. Vista PEAK hit a couple shots before the half to lead by three and took a two-point advantage into the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter made the difference in the game as the Mustangs outscored the Bison 15-8 and came back for the win.

Vista PEAK chose to try and slow the game down and work primarily in the half-court late after playing up and down for the first half. That move seemed to appear costly as the Mustangs continued to run and stay in a rhythm. Any stretch not played at a high level could be costly for either team in what will be an expected close game.

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